Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Careers & Professional Terminology
Eye Terms
ophthalmologist: physician who can diagnose, treat, and manage eye diseases
ophthalmology: study of the eye
optician: medical specialist who fills prescriptions for lenses
optometrist: health professional who prescribes corrective lenses
optometry: the measurement of visual acuity
Ear Terms
audiologist: a medical specialist who studies hearing and hearing disorders
audiology: study of hearing
otologist: physician who diagnoses and treats ear diseases
otology: study of ear diseases
otorhinolaryngologist: physician who diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the ears, nose, and throat
Imaging/Audiology Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System
Eye Techniques/Procedures
keratometer: instrument used to measure the curvature of the eye
miotic: an agent that causes the pupil to constrict
mydriatic: an agent that causes the pupil to dilate
ophthalmoscope: instrument used to view the eye
ophthalmoscopy: visual exam of the eye
optometry: measuring vision
pupillometer: instrument that measures pupil diameter
pupilloscope: instrument used for visual examination of the pupil
retinoscopy: process of viewing the retina
tonometer: instrument that measures intraocular pressure
tonometry: the measurement of intraocular pressure
Ear Techniques/Procedures
audiogram: graphic record of hearing
audiometry: the process of measuring hearing
electrocochleography: process of recording the electrical activity in the cochlea
otoscope: instrument used to visually examine the ear
otoscopy: the process of visual examination of the ear
tympanometer: instrument used to measure the middle ear
tympanometry: measurement of the tympanic membrane
Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System
Eye Techniques/Procedures
blepharoplasty: surgical repair of eyelid
cryoretinopexy: surgical fixation of the retina using extreme cold
dacryocystorhinostomy: creation of an artificial opening between the lacrimal sac and the nose (to restore drainage)
enucleation: surgical removal of an eyeball
intraocular lens: an artificial lens implanted in the eye during cataract surgery
iridectomy: excision of part of an iris
iridotomy: incision into the iris
keratoplasty: surgical repair of the cornea
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis): reshaping the cornea with a laser to correct vision problems
phacoemulsification: removal of a cataract with an ultrasonic needle probe
photorefractive keratectomy: using a laser to flatten the cornea to correct nearsightedness
scleral buckling: surgical procedure to repair a detached retina
sclerotomy: incision into the sclera
trabeculectomy: surgical creation of a drain to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma
vitrectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the vitreous humor
Ear Techniques/Procedures
cochlear implant: surgically implanted device that partially restores hearing
labyrinthectomy: excision of the inner ear (labyrinth)
mastoidectomy: excision of the air cells of the mastoid process
mastoidotomy: incision into the mastoid process
myringoplasty: surgical repair of the tympanic membrane
myringotomy: incision in the tympanic membrane
stapedectomy: excision of the stapes bone (to be replaced with a prosthetic bone)
tympanoplasty: surgical repair of the eardrum and ossicles
Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Organ System
Eye Abbreviations
ARMD: age-related macular degeneration
Ast: astigmatism
Em: emmetropia
IOL: intraocular lens
IOP: intraocular pressure
LASIK: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
Ophth: ophthalmology
PHACO: phacoemulsification
PRK: photorefractive keratectomy
VA: visual acuity
Ear Abbreviations
AOM: acute otitis media
ENT: ears, nose, throat
EENT: eyes, ears, nose, and throat
OM: otitis media
Medical Terms Practice
For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.